Islamabad Travel Guide
Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital and a modern metropolis, is one of the most visited cities in the country. Because of its big international airport and proximity to attractive sites in Northern Pakistan, it serves as the beginning point for many Pakistan travelers and is regularly frequented by business travelers. What all of these categories of travelers have in common is that they are unlikely to spend much time in the city. Islamabad is a popular local vacation destination with a variety of attractions and activities for everyone.
No trip to Islamabad is complete without seeing at least one of its magnificent mosques; the Shah Faisal Mosque is one of the world’s largest, and it is located against the breathtaking background of the Margalla Hills. Visitors interested in learning more about Islamabad’s culture and history can visit one of the city’s museums, such as the Pakistan Museum of Natural History, the Lok Virsa Museum, or the National Art Gallery. A visit to the Potohari Art and Craft Village is also recommended.
There are also numerous parks and beautiful green places to enjoy on a fine day. The Rose and Jasmine Garden and Rawal Lake are ideal for picnics, while Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa provide breathtaking vistas. Visitors with children will like the facilities of the Japanese Park, which is located close to the Islamabad Zoo.
TOP Attractions in Islamabad
Admire The Symmetry Of Pakistan Monument
The monument is constructed on top of a hill in a large park, and if you go early in the morning, you will have the entire site to yourself, allowing you to roam about at your leisure.
Visit The Lok Virsa Museum
The Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, a wonderful modern museum of Pakistani and Central Asian history, art, and culture, is only a few minutes’ walk from the Pakistan Monument. The museum features both outdoor and indoor exhibitions, ranging from a variety of displays highlighting Pakistan’s colorful and diverse cultures from various places to the ability to listen to recordings of traditional music and see many locally made cultural films. The Lok Virsa Museum is the best venue to learn about Pakistan.
Enjoy A Scenic View From Daman-e-Koh
Daman-e-Koh, Islamabad’s most famous observation point, is easily accessible by car. From there, you can see the whole city of Islamabad, including the Faisal Mosque, Seventh Avenue, and Rawal Lake. You may even go higher and enjoy even greater views from the Pir Sohawa viewpoint, as well as dine at the well-known Monal Restaurant.
On a Sunday, you will also be met with a small carnival-style market full of refreshments and tiny amusement attractions such as bouncy castles and spinning teacups, as well as a large number of people having fun with their families. It is one of the greatest occasions to visit Islamabad and socialize with the people. They are friendly, especially when they are joyful!
Dine With A View At Monal Restaurant, Pir Sohawa
A wonderful restaurant named Monal is located farther up the hill from the Daman-e-Koh viewpoint, where you may eat both local and Western cuisine while enjoying a high vantage point of Islamabad surrounded by the Margalla Hills. The cuisine is pricey and tasty, and the view of Islamabad from above at sunset is unrivaled.
Experience Rural Life In Saidpur Village
Aidpur Villages is a 500-year-old community located near the renowned Faisal Mosque in the Margalla Hills. The community has seen the presence of several ethnic and religious groups during its long history, which is why there is an old Hindu temple and a Sikh gurdwara there. Take a stroll around the countryside to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and have lunch at Des Pardes restaurant1.
Visit the Shah Faisal Mosque
The Shah Faisal Mosque, located at the foot of the Margalla Hills, is Pakistan’s largest mosque and occupies a particular position in the Muslim community.
The mosque is named after Saudi King Faisal, who donated $120 million to Pakistan to create this one-of-a-kind structure. Its main hall and spacious plaza can hold more than 100,000 worshippers.
You should visit this magnificent landmark at sunset to be blown away by its breathtaking splendor.
Hiking in Margalla Hills
Margalla Hills is a beautiful green hill range located north of Islamabad on the Himalayan foothills. There are several walking and hiking routes to choose from. Wildlife such as wild boars, Asian paradise flycatchers, and monkeys may be seen. The trail map is available at Islamabad’s main bookshops. Some of the routes are suitable for a short walk, while others might take up to three days to complete.
Centaurus Mall
Centaurus Mall is one of Pakistan’s major malls and Islamabad’s go-to medium to high-end shopping destination. Everything from worldwide to local businesses, cuisine to entertainment can be found here. It’s the ideal location to get traditional Pakistani clothing to fit in without having to worry about bargaining and overcharging at local marketplaces. Furthermore, there are often fairs and exhibitions in this stylish mall that you would never expect to find, so you’ll never run out of things to do here. For example, there was a Pakistani mango market when I was there, and I got to drink free fruit juice!
The mall also includes a huge food court where you can easily eat. Mastana is a restaurant that serves inexpensive combination lunches with some of my favorite Pakistani cuisines. (I see you, seekh kebab and palak paneer!)
Other Great Things To Do In Islamabad
The “must-dos” of Islamabad, or the city’s top attractions, were listed above. There are, however, many more fantastic things to do in Islamabad that you can include in your one-day schedule or spread out over many days. Here are some more soothing ideas:
Take A Deep Breath In At Lakeview Park
Rawal Lake, like an oasis in the city, is the ideal spot to rest by the water in Islamabad, and Lakeview Park exists expressly for this reason. The park features an aviary with colorful birds, gardens, and a variety of enjoyable activities like boating, fishing, and swimming, making it an ideal getaway for guests of all ages.
Take A Stroll Through Fatima Jinnah Park
Another fantastic area to unwind in Islamabad is Fatima Jinnah Park, often known as Capital Park. This massive park, located in sector F-9, offers plenty of natural green scenery, playgrounds, and spaces to wander, and is the ideal area to squeeze in a short workout during a hectic day of touring.
Enjoy A Fancy Dinner At Kohsar Market
Check out Kohsar Market if you genuinely miss the comfort of Western meals in Pakistan. This upscale business district in sector F-6 is filled with elegant Italian restaurants and adorable tiny cafés. This is one of the greatest things to do in Islamabad for those who have previously spent time in Pakistan and want to try something new.
Day Trips From Islamabad
Rawalpindi
Did you know that Rawalpindi is Islamabad’s twin sister? Rawalpindi is Islamabad’s more traditional twin and the ideal quick retreat if things are getting a little too contemporary around you. It’s a historic city with plenty of antique artifacts to view. As Rawalpindi is a major transit center, there are several bus connections available, or you can just take a Careem or Uber there. It’s nearly the same city.
Taxila
Taxila is a magnificent 3000-year-old archaeological site located around 20 km northwest of Islamabad. The ancient Indian city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich ruins that illustrate millennia of urbanization patterns. The location lies in Taxila, a modern city that is easily accessible via bus or cab.
Murree
Murree is a prominent Himalayan foothills resort about 40 km from Islamabad, making it the city’s nearest holiday attraction. Murree, because of its location in the hills, may be a terrific spot to cool down in the summer and enjoy snow in the winter. Furthermore, lodging is not an issue because the town is packed with hotels and guesthouses. Buses from Islamabad to Murree are incredibly inexpensive (even cheaper than my breakfast at the Markaz! ), but you may also use a cab.
How To Get Around Islamabad
Private transportation, like everywhere else in Pakistan, is the best method to move around Islamabad. Unless you have your vehicle or bike, the following are the best ways to move around town:
Hiring a driver: Hiring a driver for a full day is the most convenient and frequently cheapest option to tour Islamabad in a day. You may easily negotiate pricing with taxi drivers or Uber drivers, and they will gladly transport you wherever you want to go.
Careem/Uber: Careem and Uber are prominent ridesharing applications in Pakistan that allow you to call a transport from point A to point B for a predetermined charge. It’s crucial to remember that, while credit card payments are accepted, most drivers prefer cash payments and may cancel your ride if you plan to pay by card. (They will most likely still cancel on you, but paying in cash reduces the risk.)
Taxis: Taxis, whether legal or unauthorized, are a little more difficult to utilize because pricing is not fixed and must be bargained. Drivers in Islamabad are likewise quite honest (far more so than in Lahore), and they charge less than Careem. However, foreigners are frequently overcharged, so it’s important to compare pricing with ridesharing apps first.
Conclusion
Despite popular belief, Islamabad is a fantastic tourism destination in Pakistan. There are so many amazing things to do in Islamabad that you should plan on spending at least three days exploring. However, because many visitors only have a day in Islamabad, this guide concentrates on the city’s highlights that can be done in a day. Just keep in mind that, in addition to the city’s primary tourist attractions, there are a plethora of other fantastic things to do in Islamabad, and the city is also an excellent starting place for visiting other regions of Pakistan.
